Merkel calls for “comprehensive and transparent” probe into flotilla raid

German Chancellor Angela Merkel Thursday called for a “comprehensive and transparent investigation” toward flotilla tragedy.

Israeli forces on Monday attacked an international flotilla carrying aid to besieged Gaza in international waters more than 150km off the coast of Gaza, which killed at least 10 people on board and injured over 30 others. Ms. Merkel’s spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said in a statement Thursday that she spoke by telephone with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to express her strong anxiety at the loss of life.

Ms. Merkel and Mr. Abbas agreed that a “comprehensive and transparent investigation” of the event was needed to avoid upgrading the regional tension.

She also suggested representatives of the Mideast Quartet, formed by the European Union, United Nations, Russia and the U.S. in 2002, to be included in the investigation.

Ms. Merkel’s proposal has received backing from other European countries, local media report.

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini called on Israel to allow international observers named by the Quartet to carry out an independent investigation into the Israeli raid.

Earlier Wednesday, the United Nations’ Human Rights Council decided to send an independent fact-finding mission to investigate Israel's deadly attack on the aid flotilla, which has been rejected by Israel on Thursday.